Dekine Kinihira is exceptionally proud to call Australia home. or signup to continue reading The Congolese man moved from Africa to Brisbane in 2019 and has lived on the Border for almost three years. , 2025, he officially became an Australian citizen.
There was no hiding his beaming smile. "This is something meaningful for me," he said. "I'm a musician, and I've embraced the new culture.
I really like the Australian culture and values. "I'm very happy." Mr Kinihira has a brother in Brisbane, and although he moved without his parents, who still reside in Africa, he has certainly settled in.
"Because I've been here by myself, I've been living with Australian people, and I feel like I have family everywhere," he said. "I also do work for the NBN connecting networks. I enjoy speaking with customers, and everyone has been very friendly.
" Mr Kinihara was one of 40 new citizens from Bhutan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egpyt, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania, United Kingdom and Vietnam who were acknowledged as part of . Fellow Congolese man Nshizirungu Bienvenue said it felt amazing to become an Australian citizen after five years in the country. "When I first came to Australia, I had one week in Townsville and then moved to Wodonga," he said.
"I was born in Congo, but all my schooling was in Rwanda. "After Rwanda, we moved as refugees to Kenya and then from Kenya to Australia. "My mum, wife and daughter all live in Australia.
It's a dream come true. .
